Internet Society Statement on the Importance of Open Global Dialogue Regarding Online Privacy

12 June 2013

[Washington,
D.C. and Geneva, Switzerland] The Internet Society has noted recent
revelations regarding the apparent scope of U.S. government efforts to
gather large amounts of end user information from U.S. Internet and
telecom service providers for intelligence purposes. We are deeply
concerned that the unwarranted collection, storage and potential
correlation of user data will undermine many of the key principles and
relationships of trust upon which the global Internet has been built.
The impact of this action is not limited to U.S. users or companies, but
has implications for Internet users around the globe.

While government plays an important role in protecting its citizens
and there is a need for better approaches to address online security,
the Internet Society strongly believes that real security can only be
realized within a broader context of trust and the respect of
fundamental rights, such as privacy. The Internet Society, along with
many other organizations and individuals around the world, expect
governments to respect and protect the basic rights of their citizens –
including the right to privacy both offline and online – as enshrined in
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The U.S. Government has previously taken an active role in
championing these rights in the international sphere. For example, the
U.S. played a leadership role in the adoption of the Human Rights
Council Resolution A/HRC/RES/20/8, which re-affirmed that fundamental
rights are applicable to individuals’ activities in the online
environment as well, including privacy and freedom of expression. This
means that restrictions of rights should be exceptional and conform to
internationally accepted criteria such as: provision by law; pursuing a
legitimate purpose; proven as necessary and the least restrictive means
required to achieve the purported aim. Users naturally have higher
expectations of governments who have adopted these international
standards.

The Internet must be a channel for secure, reliable, private
communication between entities and individuals. Consensus for
internationally recognized data protection standards has been formed
through agreements constituting key building blocks of online trust,
including the OECD Guidelines on the Protection of Privacy and
Transborder Flows of Personal Data, the Council of Europe Convention for
the Protection of Individuals with Regard to Automatic Processing of
Personal Data, the EU Data Protection framework, and the APEC Privacy
Framework and Cross Border Privacy Rules system.

Emerging revelations about alleged U.S. programs to gather
information about Internet users raise clear questions about the extent
to which individuals’ expectations of privacy have been compromised.
This kind of collection of user information is at odds with the
commitments governments around the world have made with respect to
protection of personal data and other human rights. We would expect any
government signing onto these principles to fully engage with its
citizens in an open dialogue when seeking to achieve both the protection
of individual rights and national security. We also need to challenge
the view that there always has to be a trade-off between ensuring
security and protecting users’ rights.

The Internet Society is also deeply concerned that alleged programs
and similar efforts by other governments will have a chilling effect on
the deployment and adoption of technical solutions for establishing
trusted connections online. This kind of trust-enabled infrastructure is
needed to maintain global interoperability and openness. The Internet
is global – the impact of programs like these is not limited to the
specific country in question but rather reverberates across the globe to
users everywhere.

The revelations of recent days underscore the importance of an open
global dialogue regarding online privacy in the realm of national
security and the need for all stakeholders to abide by the norms and
principles outlined in international agreements on data protection and
other fundamental rights. Trusted interactions in cyberspace are
critical not only for the future of the Internet, but also for continued
innovation, economic and political progress and a vibrant global
community. Users need clear and realistic expectations of online
privacy that are respected by governments and enterprises alike, so that
they can continue to use the Internet in ways that enhance all of
society.

About the Internet Society
The Internet Society is the trusted independent source for Internet
information and thought leadership from around the world. With its
principled vision and substantial technological foundation, the Internet
Society promotes open dialogue on Internet policy, technology, and
future development among users, companies, governments, and other
organizations. Working with its members and Chapters around the world,
the Internet Society enables the continued evolution and growth of the
Internet for everyone. For more information, visit www.internetsociety.org

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